Large-scale damage to the wheat crop from ‘yellow rust’ – a fungal disease – in the lower areas of the state, including Mandi, Kangra, Una and some parts of Hamirpur districts, has raised an alarm among farmers.
High humidity in winters with fluctuating temperatures through the cold months acted as favourable conditions for the disease.
“Immense damage of wheat crop has been reported in Mandi district due to yellow rust attack and I believe that farmers in entire lower Himachal belt are worried and affected,” said Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee President Kaul Singh Thakur while mentioning it in the House after the question hour.
Speaker Tulsi Ram said a question on the issue has been listed for the Question Hour on Wednesday.